On Monday, they opened their offseason workout program, the first under the direction of new head coach Todd Bowles, but one of their key players did not make an appearance at the team facility.

Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson was not in attendance and isn’t planning on taking part in the workouts anytime soon.

Wilkerson is entering the final year of his rookie contract and wants a new deal. The Jets are trying to work one out, but no agreement has been reached — and might not be until after the NFL draft the first week of May. The fifth-year option on Wilkerson’s existing contract pays him $6.97 million, but as one of the top defensive linemen in the NFL, he stands to make a financial killing if and when his new deal is finalized. Until then, he likely will not be seen around the Jets’ workout program. His agent, Chad Weisling, indicated Wilkerson plans to continue working out on his own, away from the team.

These workouts are voluntary, so Wilkerson cannot be punished for not attending them.

Re-signing Wilkerson is a priority for first-year general manager Mike Maccagnan, and there is little doubt a deal will get done. Given his status, figure Wilkerson will want at least $15 million per year.

“We’re going to take a look at Mo; Mo’s obviously a great player,’’ Jets owner Woody Johnson said last month at the NFL owners meetings. “In terms of getting all that going, I’m sure that will be one of their priorities.”

The Jets are one of three teams to get a jump on offseason workouts, because clubs with new head coaches are allowed to begin their workouts earlier than the rest of the league. The Jets with Bowles, the Falcons with new coach Dan Quinn and the Bills with old friend Rex Ryan all started up Monday. Later this week, the 49ers (with Jim Tomsula) and the Raiders (with Jack Del Rio) are scheduled to begin their workouts. The other teams with new head coaches (Bears with John Fox, Broncos with Gary Kubiak) begin next Monday. The other 25 teams, including the Giants, start their workouts April 20.

The first phase of the workouts are limited to two weeks of strength and conditioning and rehab.

Calvin Pryor, coming off a rough rookie year, told the Jets’ website he is going back to playing strong safety, a position he excelled at while at Louisville, after taking most of his first-year snaps at free safety.

“So, I’m going back to my old self, doing what I do, being down in the box,” Pryor said.